George Joseph and Jean Lyon were born Monday morning, both weighing over 6 pounds. Congratulations to proud parents, the Rev. Joseph Dirbas, associate rector at St. Peter's, Del Mar and to the Rev. Terry Dirbas, associate rector at Christ Church, Coronado. At our last report, mother and babies were resting and doing well!

We are pleased to welcome UCLA graduate Travis Thomas as the new diocesan registrar. Travis began work on Thursday, April 12. He most recently worked as a web site manager for a furniture company in Chula Vista. Prior to that, he spent four years in marketing, sales, office management and special events. Among his many interests are woodworking, travel and photography; he just returned from a trip to see the aurora borealis in Alaska from a vantage point at Chena Hot Springs, Alaska. A former acolyte of St. James, La Jolla, Travis said, "I'm looking forward to working with the people of the diocese."  

Legacy Evensong Bishop Mathes will host the first Bishop's Legacy Society Evensong on Sunday, May 6, 2012 at 5pm at St. Paul's Cathedral, for those who have remembered an Episcopal church or ministry in their estate plans. Followed by a reception in the Great Hall. For more information, please contact Canon Howard Smith.

Mission Sunday Bishop Mathes has designated Sunday, May 20, as Mission Sunday. This is a day to celebrate our new diocesan mission plan, as well as ministries your congregation is presently involved with, and introduce the ministries we share as a diocese. Through our combined efforts, we can impact the community, the diocese, and the world. We will provide resources, readings, and promotional materials to help make this Sunday as successful as possible. Read the new Mission Plan.

Bishop's Appeal The Bishop's Appeal supports the mission and ministry of our diocese, and was mailed last week. With donations received through the Bishop's Appeal, we are able to help support our companion diocese of El Salvador and Second Chances food distribution in Ocean Beach, as well as many other ministries. Please participate in this important work and encourage those in your congregations to support the Bishop's Appeal. Thank you for your leadership.

Preaching Conference "The Preaching Task: Prayer, Preparation and Performance," is hosted by the Episcopal Preaching Foundation. The Rev. Dr. William Brosend and the Rev. Dr. Lauren Winner will present three 75-minute segments which will include an opportunity for participants to discuss these aspects of preaching. Tuesday, May 8, 9a-3p at St. Bartholomew's, Poway. No cost; lunch will be provided. Register here.